Read Any Good Books Lately?

I love to read. It is fascinating to think that with just a few strokes of a pen someone can write their thoughts down on paper to be read by others. Some of these writings have lasted centuries. We can actually sit down and read the thoughts of people who lived years ago.  A really good book makes you feel like you are right in the middle of the action or like you are sitting in the author’s living room having a discussion with just you and him alone.  A well written book stays with the reader.  Years later, he finds that he is still being influenced by books he read as a youngster or young adult.  Reading is powerful.

God values reading. He chose to have His truths shared with people through the centuries through the written word. He didn’t leave us to guess what He wants from us. He had it written down and has preserved it so that all may know who the Creator of the universe is and what He expects of His creation.  (see Ephesians 3:3-5)

The fact that God has given us His word in written form implies that He expects us to learn to read. He has commanded us to read His word, to study His word, to love His word. It is important that we learn to read and to read well. It is important for us to teach others to read and to read well. Of all the tasks a school teacher or a home school mom has to do, teaching children to read is the most important and the most thrilling. If we teach our children to read, we give them the keys to all learning. This key is a great gift. It is also an awesome responsibility.

Once a child can read, it is tempting to encourage them to read everything. Libraries like to have Summer reading programs where they encourage children to read, read, read all Summer long. Schools have programs such as Accelerated Reading programs that encourage children to read, read, read. Parents are happy when they see their children choosing a book over a video game to occupy their free time. Our society prizes reading. Our society understands that reading is a must to be successful.

Is all this reading good for us? I know this is an unpopular opinion but I think it can be harmful. There is the problem of spending all our time in a fantasy world instead of in the real world. There is the problem of having a sedentary lifestyle instead of being actively doing things. Even the wise King Solomon recognized that too much reading could be a problem (See Ecclesiastes 12:12).

There is an even bigger problem to reading a lot. That problem lies in the content of the books we choose to read.   I would much rather read a few very good books than a whole library full of inappropriate books.  I could go on and on about what might be considered inappropriate books.  Whether it be twaddle,  improper subject matter, indecent language,  there is a lot to be said about the need to steer away from these types of books.

It’s easy to spot the problems with some books but I want to talk about devotional/study type books.   They must be appropriate, after all, they are found in the Christian bookstores and religious sections of most libraries, right?  The market seems to be flooded with devotional/study books labeled as Christian.  With the click of a button on your phone or ipad you can be reading one in an instant, many times free of charge.  The author says he or she is a Christian, has an entertaining or compelling writing style, deals with an issue that seems to be very much needed today, so the masses flock to his writings, reads them avidly and shares them with friends and relatives.  It sounds like a good thing, right?

When dealing with the subject of God, the church, our salvation, we must be careful who influences us.  We first must know what God has written and what He wants of us.  Then, if we choose to read a man’s writing on the subject, we can know if what the man is saying agrees with what God says.   We must know who wrote the book and what his agenda is (everyone has an agenda).  Does he believe in God?  Does he respect God’s authority?  Does he obey what God has said?  If not, we need to put his thoughts aside.   If someone will not accept the authority of God and fully obey it, how can we trust what else he has to say about God? We must protect our conscience from being hardened to God’s word by a smooth talking, entertaining, thought provoking man who does not respect all of God’s word.

I am troubled when I see young adults reading, studying and applying to their lives the information they find in books written by people who do not have enough respect for God to follow His commands.   If you are reading the words of someone and realize that this person does not accept the biblical truth about Christ, salvation, the home, the beginning of all things, the sanctity of life, etc. it is time to put his book aside.  It is another avenue Satan is using to draw you into His power and without you even realizing it, turning you away from God.  Too easily, the truth you find in God’s word begins to be blurred with the near truths found in man’s writing which leads to the next book that leads you a little further away.

Reading is powerful.  Satan is deceptive.  Choose your books wisely or, better yet, just read the Bible.